Energy delivery systems and uses thereof

Abstract

Provided herein are devices, systems, and methods for delivering energy to tissue for a wide variety of applications, including medical procedures (e.g., tissue ablation, resection, cautery, vascular thrombosis, treatment of cardiac arrhythmias and dysrhythmias, electrosurgery, tissue harvest, etc.). In certain embodiments, devices, systems, and methods are provided for delivering energy to difficult to access tissue regions (e.g. central or peripheral lung tissues), and/or reducing the amount of undesired heat given off during energy delivery.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A device for delivering energy, comprising:
 a solid inner conductor;   a non-conductive core surrounding the inner conductor such that an air channel is between the non-conductive core and the inner conductor;   a spacer positioned in the air channel and contacting the inner conductor and the non-conductive core, wherein no gap is defined through the spacer; and   an outer conductor surrounding the non-conductive core.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more of:
 a proximal end connectable to a microwave energy generator and a coolant source;   a distal end configured to generate ablative energy in a defined region surrounding said distal end;   a coolant flow exchanger at the distal end configured to receive coolant from said inner conductor and return said coolant through said air channel.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the outer conductor comprises at least one of a flexible material or a collapsible material. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one of the flexible or the collapsible material:
 renders the device capable of circuitous navigation through a subject;   renders the device capable of circuitous navigation through a subject without undesired heating of tissue regions along the circuitous navigation;   renders the device capable of circuitous navigation through a subject without undesired tissue damage of tissue regions along the circuitous navigation; or   combinations thereof.   
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is capable of endobronchial navigation and/or transbronchial navigation. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the device is sized for endobronchial delivery of microwave energy to a central or peripheral lung nodule. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the device is less than 1.4 mm. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the outer conductor comprises biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate. 
     
     
         9 . A system comprising the device of  claim 1  and one or more of a delivery tube, a microwave generator, a coolant supply, a control computer, an imaging device, and a power and coolant interface. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said coolant supply comprises a pressurized gas. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said pressurized gas is CO 2 . 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said interface comprises: a) a gas connector for connecting to a coolant source; b) a power connector for connecting to an electrical source; and c) an ablative power connector for connecting to a microwave generator. 
     
     
         13 . A method of ablating a tissue comprising:
 positioning a distal end of said device of  claim 1  near a target tissue and applying ablative energy from said device.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said target tissue is in a lung. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said device is positioned endobronchially or transbronchially. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said target tissue is a central or peripheral lung nodule. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer comprises a monofilament tube.